
Pretend It's Love
A Behind the Bar Story
by Stefanie London
Synopsis
One fake relationship shaken not stirred...
Bar manager Paul Chapman is sick of his family's traditional ideals. Marriage, babies, and a white picket fence? Not his gig. But now that his 'golden child' big brother is tying the knot, Paul's screwed. His ex will be there...and she's having his cousin's baby. Unless he wants to show up to the wedding alone and face his family's scrutiny, he needs a girl on his arm.
Now.
Cocktail specialist Libby Harris has spent her life earning the nickname Little Miss Perfect, all to win the love of her wealthy, controlling father. But she deviated from his plan, and now her business is on shaky ground. If it fails, she might as well kiss his respect-and her dream-good-bye. Her only hope? Convince the hottest bar in town to take on her product.
Luckily for her, the owner's brother is sexy as sin and in need of a perfect girlfriend...
Spoilers ahead!
*sigh* Maybe I'm the problem. Maybe I need to think about things differently.
Let me start from the beginning - this book was like candy. I could not put it down and even had my lunch time run long so I could finish it. I loved the characters - Libby is a strong heroine with a soft side. Paul is a sexy hero that is smart to boot. Together they are funny and have the best chemistry. Relationship arrangements/fake relationships where the two ultimately for for each other is my catnip!! They brought out the best in each other and emphasized that it was about supporting each other as well as the chemistry that makes a relationship worth it.
And then came my questioning. Is it me? Is there something wrong with me that I don't like happy endings that include a marriage proposal? For once, I want a book that I enjoy to end up with Party A and Party B ridiculously happy, having all the great sex they can, and enjoying each other! Why the cookie cutter ending of a marriage proposal?
That's just me folks - maybe I'm silly, but surely I can't help it. I'll still read them because for the most part I do love these stories. Maybe the proposal ending will work for you, dear reader. Let me know what you think.